[0001] The present invention relates to a process for preparing a partially hydrogenated
polyacene, and a novel intermediate used in such process. Also the present invention
relates to a process for preparing the corresponding conjugated polyacenes.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Large acenes find a growing number of applications in organic electronics. However
their applicability is limited by their poor solubility and their inherent instability.
One strategy widely exploited in order to overcome these limitations is the inclusion
of appropriate substituents that increase both stability and solubility of acene derivatives.
[0003] Another less explored way of "protecting" acenes consists of the preparation of partially
hydrogenated analogues, which has been carried out by partial hydrogenation of polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons or by reduction of the corresponding quinones.
[0004] There are different ways to obtain the partially hydrogenated polyacenes.
[0006] In the document titled
Fullerene-Acene Chemistry: diastereoselective synthesis of a cis, cis-tris[60]fullerene
adduct of 6,8,15,17-tetraphenylheptacene, Glen P. Miller and Jonanthan Briggs, Organic
letters, 2003, vol.5 n°22, 4203-4206 is described the synthesis of 5,7,9,14,16,18-hexahydro-6,8,15,17-tetraphenylheptacene.
The 1,3-diphenylnaphthol[2,3-
c]-furan reacts with p-benzoquinone, then a double dehydration with p-toluene sulfonic
acid in benzene affords 6,8,15,17-tetraphenylheptacene-7,16-quinone, the reduction
of this compound with hydriodic acid in acetic acid gives the 5,7,9,14,16,18-hexahydro-6,8,15,17-tetraphenylheptacene.
[0008] Thus, from what is known in the art, it is derived that the development of a process
for the production of partially hydrogenated polyacenes and the corresponding polyacenes
that show high yield is still of great interest.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Inventors have found that 1,7 enynes are converted in the presence of a gold (I)
catalyst into partially hydrogenated polyacenes. The process is advantageous since
it results in an increase in the efficiency of the results and the hydrogenated polyacene
obtained is a stable precursor of the corresponding conjugated polyacene.
[0010] Nothing in the art suggests the present invention.
[0011] Therefore the first aspect of the invention is a method for the preparation of a
partially hydrogenated polyacene comprising the step of:
- (i) contacting a compound of formula (I)

with a catalytically effective amount of a Au(I) catalyst,
wherein each of R1, R2, R3 and R4, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from the group consisting
of: hydrogen, halogen, straight chain or branched (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, (C1-C6)thioalkyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C2-C6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C1-C6)alkyl)3, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C2-C6)alkylaminocarbonyl, an aldehyde group, cyano, nitro, a radical of formula (II):

with the condition that when one or more of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is a radical of formula (II) at least one carbon atom adjacent to the carbon atom
bearing a radical of formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen; a (C6-C20)aryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected from
the group consisting of: halogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, (C1-C6)thioalkyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C2-C6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C1-C6)alkyl)3, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C2-C6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, nitro, an aldehyde group and a radical of formula (II)
with the condition that at least one carbon atom adjacent to the carbon atom of the
(C6-C20)aryl substituted with the radical of formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen; and
a (C5-C20)heteroaryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected
from the group consisting of halogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, (C1-C6)thioalkyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C2-C6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C1-C6)alkyl)3, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C2-C6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, nitro, an aldehyde group and a radical of formula (II)
with the condition that at least one carbon atom adjacent to the carbon atom of the
(C5-C20)heteroaryl substituted with the radical of formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen;
or, alternatively, one, two or three of the pairs R1 and R2, R2 and R3, and R3 and R4, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system comprising
1 to 5 rings, each ring being isolated, fused or partially fused, and comprising from
5 to 6 members selected from the group consisting of: C, CH, CH2, CO, O, S, N and NR10, wherein R10 is selected from hydrogen and (C1-C6)alkyl, each ring being independently unsaturated, saturated or aromatic; and each
ring being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from
the group consisting of: halogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, (C1-C6)thioalkyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C2-C6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C1-C6)alkyl)3, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C2-C6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, an aldehyde group and nitro and wherein when the ring
system comprises at least one carbon-carbon double bond, the carbon atoms forming
a double bond can further be substituted with a radical of formula (II) with the condition
that the carbon atom forming the double bond adjacent to the carbon atom substituted
with a radical of formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen;
R7 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C1-C6)alkyl and (C1-C6)haloalkyl; R8 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, and (C1-C6)haloalkyl; R9 is a linear or branched (C1-C6)alkyl; and R11, R12, R13, R14 have the same meanings as R1, R2, R3, R4;
R5 and R6 are each independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, straight
chain or branched (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, a (C6-C20)aryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected from
the group consisting of halogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, (C1-C6)thioalkyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C2-C6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C1-C6)alkyl)3, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C2-C6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, nitro, an aldehyde group, and a radical of formula (II)
with the condition that at least one carbon atom adjacent to the carbon atom of the
(C6-C20)aryl substituted with the radical of formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen; and
a (C5-C20)heteroaryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected
from the group consisting of: halogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, (C1-C6)thioalkyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C2-C6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C1-C6)alkyl)3, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C2-C6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, nitro, an aldehyde group, and a radical of formula (II)
with the condition that at least one carbon atom adjacent to the carbon atom of the
(C5-C20)heteroaryl substituted with the radical of formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen;
or, alternatively,
R5 and R6, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system comprising
1 to 10 rings, each ring being isolated, fused or partially fused, and comprising
from 5 to 6 members selected from the group consisting of C, CH, CH2, O, S, CO, N and NR10, wherein R10 is selected from hydrogen and (C1-C6)alkyl, each ring being independently unsaturated, saturated or aromatic, and each
ring being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals independently
selected from the group consisting of: halogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, (C1-C6)thioalkyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C2-C6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C1-C6)alkyl)3, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C2-C6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, an aldehyde group, nitro,
and wherein when the ring system comprises at least one carbon-carbon double bond,
the carbon atoms forming a double bond can further be substituted with a radical of
formula (II) with the condition that the carbon atom forming the double bond adjacent
to the carbon atom substituted with a radical of formula (II) is substituted with
hydrogen;
to obtain a partially hydrogenated polyacene of formula (III):

wherein the R15, R16, R17, R18, R19, R20 have the same meanings as R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 respectively except when a radical of formula (II) is present in the compound of
formula (I) then the diradical of formula (II') is cyclized in a diradical of formula
(IV) in the compound of formula (III)

[0012] The oxidation of the partially hydrogenated polyacene obtained in the first aspect
of the invention results in a polyacene compound. The development of a method to obtain
polyacene compounds as stable materials for electronic applications operating under
ambient conditions is of great interest.
[0013] Therefore the second aspect of the invention is a method for the preparation of a
polyacene compound comprising:
the step of the method describe above and a final step of (ii) oxidizing the compound
of formula (III) to form a compound of formula (VII)

wherein R7, R8, R15, R16, R17, R18, R19 and R20 are as defined above except the diradical of formula (IV) in the compound of formula
(III), which is replaced by a diradical of formula (VIII) in the compound of formula
(VII)

[0014] The present invention also describes a new structure of 1,7 enynes.
[0015] Therefore the third aspect of the invention is a compound of formula (I')

wherein A' is H or a radical of formula -CHR
5=CHR
6 wherein R
1 to R
9 are as defined above.
[0016] The last aspect of the invention relates to the use of the compound of formula (I')
as precursor of the partially hydrogenated polyacene of formula (III).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] As mentioned above, the first aspect of the present invention relates to a method
for the preparation of a partially hydrogenated polyacene.
[0018] In the present description:
The term "halogen" refers to iodine, bromine, chlorine and fluorine.
[0019] The term "alkyl", alone or in combination, refers to a straight-chain or branched-chain
alkyl group having the indicated number of carbon atoms. For example, C
1-6 alkyl refers to an alkyl group having from one to six carbon atoms with the remaining
valences occupied by hydrogen atoms. Examples of straight-chain and branched C
1-6 alkyl group include but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl,
isobutyl, tert-butyl, the isomeric pentyls, the isomeric hexyls and the like.
[0020] The term "alkyloxy" means an alkyl substituent attached to the remainder of a molecule
via oxygen, in which the term "alkyl" has the previously given definition. Examples
of alkyloxy group include, but are not limited to, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy,
n-butoxy, isobutoxy, sec-butoxy and tert-butoxy.
[0021] The term "thioalkyl" refers to an alkyl substituent attached to the remainder of
a molecule via sulfur in which the term "alkyl" has the previously given definition.
Examples of thioalkyl group include, but are not limited to, methylthio, ethylthio,
propylthio, isopropylthio, and n-butylthio.
[0022] The term "alkylcarbonyl" embraces groups having a carbonyl radical substituted with
an alkyl radical, in which the term "alkyl" has the previously given definition. It
is mentioned that if the alkyl have for example 1 to 5 carbon, then the number of
carbon atoms of alkylcarbonyl are altogether 2 to 6. Examples of such radicals include,
but are not limited to, methylcarbonyl and ethylcarbonyl.
[0023] The term "alkylcarbonyloxy" includes alkyl as defined above bonded to carbonyl bonded
to oxygen. Examples of alkylcarbonyloxy group include, but are not limited to, acetate,
propionate and t-butylcarbonyloxy.
[0024] The term "alkyloxycarbonyl" means a radical containing an alkyloxy radical, as defined
above, attached via the oxygen atom to a carbonyl radical. Examples of such radicals
include, but are not limited to, substituted or unsubstituted methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl,
propoxycarbonyl, butoxycarbonyl and hexyloxycarbonyl.
[0025] The term "alkylcarbonylamino" refers to a group of formula -NH(CO)R where R is an
alkyl, in which the term "alkyl" has the previously given definition. Examples of
such radicals include, but are not limited to, acetylamino, indole-2-ylacetylamino.
[0026] The term "alkylaminocarbonyl" refers to a group of formula RNHCO- wherein R is an
alkyl, in which the term "alkyl" has the previously given definition. Example is methylaminocarbonyl.
[0027] The term "aryl" means, unless otherwise stated, a polyunsaturated, typically aromatic,
hydrocarbon group which can be a single ring or multiple rings (up to six rings) which
are fused together or linked covalently, and which optionally carries one or more
substituents as described herein, for example, such as halogen, trifluoromethyl, amino,
alkyl, alkyloxy, alkylcarbonyl, cyano, carbamoyl, alkoxycarbamoyl, methylendioxy,
carboxy, alkyloxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl,
hydroxy, nitro and the like. Non-limiting examples of unsubstituted aryl groups include
phenyl, naphthyl, phenanthrenyl, anthracenyl and biphenyl. Examples of substituted
aryl groups include, but are not limited to phenyl, chlorophenyl, trifluoromethylphenyl,
chlorofluorophenyl, and aminophenyl.
[0028] The term "heteroaryl", alone or in combination, refers to an aromatic 5- to 10-membered
heterocycle which contains one or more, preferably one or two hetero atoms selected
from nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, wherein nitrogen, sulphur or oxygen are preferred.
The heteroaryl may be substituted on one or more carbon atoms as defined herein, for
example with substituents such as halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, cyano, haloalkyl. Examples
of heteroaryls include, but are not limited to, pyridinyl or furanyl, methylcarbonylphenyl,
methoxyphenyl, thiophenyl, benzothiophenyl, methylendioxyphenyl, 1-naphthyl and 2-naphthyl.
[0029] In the present invention the phrase, "with the condition that when one or more of
R
1, R
2, R
3 and R
4 is a radical of formula (II) at least one carbon atom adjacent to the carbon atom
bearing a radical of formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen" means that when R
1 is a radical of formula (II) then R
2 is H; when R
2 is a radical of formula (II) then at least one of R
1 and R
3 is H; when R
3 is a radical of formula (II) then at least one of R
2 and R
4 is H; when R
4 is a radical of formula (II) then R
3 is H. In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, each of R
11, R
12, R
13 and R
14, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from the group consisting
of: hydrogen, halogen, straight chain or branched (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C
2-C
6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C
2-C
6)alkylaminocarbonyl, an aldehyde group, cyano, nitro, a (C
6-C
20)aryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected from
the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C
2-C
6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C
2-C
6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, nitro, and an aldehyde group and a (C
5-C
20)heteroaryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected
from the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C
2-C
6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C
2-C
6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, nitro, and an aldehyde group; or, alternatively,
[0030] one, two or three of the pairs R
11 and R
12, R
12 and R
13, and R
13 and R
14, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system comprising
1 to 5 rings, each ring being isolated, fused or partially fused, and comprising from
5 to 6 members selected from the group consisting of: C, CH, CH
2, CO, O, S, N and NR
10, wherein R
10 is selected from hydrogen and (C
1-C
6)alkyl, each ring being independently unsaturated, saturated or aromatic; and each
ring being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from
the group consisting of: halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C
2-C
6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C
2-C
6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, and aldehyde group, and nitro.
[0031] In a particular embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more of the embodiments
described above or below, each of R
1, R
2, R
3 and R
4, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from the group consisting
of: hydrogen, halogen, straight chain or branched (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C
2-C
6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C
2-C
6)alkylaminocarbonyl, an aldehyde group, cyano, nitro, a (C
6-C
20)aryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected from
the group consisting of: halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C
2-C
6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C
2-C
6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, nitro, and an aldehyde group; and a (C
5-C
20)heteroaryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected
from the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C
2-C
6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C
2-C
6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, nitro, and an aldehyde group;
or, alternatively,
one, two or three of the pairs R
1 and R
2, R
2 and R
3, and R
3 and R
4, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system comprising
1 to 5 rings, each ring being isolated, fused or partially fused, and comprising from
5 to 6 members selected from the group consisting of: C, CH, CH
2, CO, O, S, N and NR
10, wherein R
10 is selected from hydrogen and (C
1-C
6)alkyl, each ring being independently unsaturated, saturated or aromatic; and each
ring being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from
the group consisting of: halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C
2-C
6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C
2-C
6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, an aldehyde group and nitro.
[0032] In a particular embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more of the embodiments
described above or below, each of R
1, R
2, R
3 and R
4, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from the group consisting
of: hydrogen, halogen, straight chain or branched (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, an aldehyde group, cyano, nitro; a (C
6-C
20)aryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected from
the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, and (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl; and a (C
5-C
20)heteroaryl optionally subtsituted at one or more positions with a radical selected
from the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, and (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl; or, alternatively,
[0033] one, two or three of the pairs R
1 and R
2, R
2 and R
3, and R
3 and R
4, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system, said
ring comprising 1 to 5 rings, each ring being isolated, fused or partially fused,
and comprising from 5 to 6 members selected from the group consisting of C, CH, CH
2, O, and S, each ring being independently unsaturated, saturated or aromatic; and
each ring being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected
from the group consisting of: halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, an aldehyde group and nitro.
[0034] In a particular embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more of the embodiments
described above or below, each of R
1, R
2, R
3 and R
4, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from the group consisting
of: hydrogen, halogen, straight chain or branched (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, an aldehyde group, cyano, nitro; a (C
6-C
20)aryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected from
the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, and (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl; and a (C
5-C
20)heteroaryl optionally subtsituted at one or more positions with a radical selected
from the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, and (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl; or, alternatively,
[0035] one, two or three of the pairs R
1 and R
2, R
2 and R
3, and R
3 and R
4, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system, said
ring comprising 1 to 5 rings, each ring being isolated, fused or partially fused,
and comprising from 5 to 6 members selected from the group consisting of C, CH, CH
2, O, and S, each ring being independently unsaturated, saturated or aromatic; and
each ring being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected
from the group consisting of: halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, and nitro.
[0036] In a particular embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more of the embodiments
described above or below, each of R
1, R
2, R
3 and R
4, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from the group consisting
of: hydrogen, halogen, straight chain or branched (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, and an aldehyde group; and a (C
6-C
20)aryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected from
the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, and (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy; or, alternatively,
[0037] one, two or three of the pairs R
1 and R
2, R
2 and R
3, and R
3 and R
4, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system, said
ring comprising 1 to 5 aromatic rings, each ring being isolated or fused, and comprising
from 5 to 6 members selected from the group consisting of C, CH, O, and S, and each
ring being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from
the group consisting of: halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, and nitro.
[0038] In a particular embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more of the embodiments
described above or below, each of R
1, R
2, R
3 and R
4, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from the group consisting
of: hydrogen, straight chain or branched (C
1-C
6)alkyl, and (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl; or, alternatively,
[0039] one, two or three of the pairs R
1 and R
2, R
2 and R
3, and R
3 and R
4, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system, said
ring comprising 1 to 3 aromatic rings, each ring being isolated, or fused, and comprising
6 members selected from the group consisting of C, and CH.
[0040] In a particular embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more of the embodiments
described above or below, each of R
1, R
2, R
3 and R
4 represent hydrogen; or, alternatively, one of the pairs selected from R
1 and R
2, and R
2 and R
3, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a phenyl ring. In
a particular embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more of the embodiments
described above or below, R
5 and R
6 are each independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, straight
chain or branched (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, a (C
6-C
20)aryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected from
the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C
2-C
6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C
2-C
6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, nitro, and an aldehyde group, and a (C
5-C
20)heteroaryl optionally subtsituted at one or more positions with a radical selected
from the group consisting of: halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C
2-C
6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C
2-C
6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, nitro, and an aldehyde group; or, alternatively,
[0041] R
5 and R
6, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system comprising
1 to 10 rings, each ring being isolated, fused or partially fused, and comprising
from 5 to 6 members selected from the group consisting of C, CH, CH
2, O, S, N and NR
10, wherein R
10 is selected from hydrogen and (C
1-C
6)alkyl, each ring being independently unsaturated, saturated or aromatic, and each
ring being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals independently
selected from the group consisting of: halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C
2-C
6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C
2-C
6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, an aldehyde group, nitro, and wherein when the ring system
comprises at least one carbon-carbon double bond, the carbon atoms forming a double
bond can further be substituted with a radical of formula (II) with the condition
that the carbon atom forming the double bond adjacent to the carbon atom substituted
with a radical of formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen.
[0042] In a particular embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more of the embodiments
described above or below, R
5 and R
6 are each independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, straight
chain or branched (C
1-C
6)alkyl, a (C
6-C
20)aryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected from
the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, and an aldehyde group; or, alternatively,
[0043] R
5 and R
6, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system comprising
1 to 10 rings, each ring being isolated, fused or partially fused, and comprising
from 5 to 6 members selected from the group consisting of C, CH, CH
2, CO, O, S, N and NR
10, wherein R
10 is selected from hydrogen and (C
1-C
6)alkyl, each ring being independently unsaturated, saturated or aromatic, and each
ring being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals independently
selected from the group consisting of: halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C
2-C
6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C
2-C
6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, an aldehyde group, nitro, and wherein when the ring system
comprises at least one carbon-carbon double bond, the carbon atoms forming a double
bond can further be substituted with a radical of formula (II) with the condition
that the carbon atom forming the double bond adjacent to the carbon atom substituted
with a radical of formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen.
[0044] In a particular embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more of the embodiments
described above or below, R
5 and R
6, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system comprising
1 to 5 rings, each ring being isolated, fused or partially fused, and comprising from
5 to 6 members selected from the group consisting of C, CH, CH
2, CO, O, S, N and NR
10, wherein R
10 is selected from hydrogen and (C
1-C
6)alkyl, each ring being independently unsaturated, saturated or aromatic, and each
ring being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals independently
selected from the group consisting of: halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C
2-C
6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C
2-C
6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, an aldehyde group, nitro, and wherein when the ring system
comprises at least one carbon-carbon double bond, the carbon atoms forming a double
bond can further be substituted with a radical of formula (II) with the condition
that the carbon atom forming the double bond adjacent to the carbon atom substituted
with a radical of formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen.
[0045] In a particular embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more of the embodiments
described above or below, R
5 and R
6, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system comprising
1 to 5 aromatic rings, each ring being isolated, fused or partially fused, and comprising
from 5 to 6 members selected from the group consisting of C, CH, CO, O, S, N and NR
10, wherein R
10 is selected from hydrogen and (C
1-C
6)alkyl and each ring being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals
independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C
2-C
6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C
2-C
6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, an aldehyde group, nitro, and a radical of formula (II)
with the condition that the carbon atom forming the double bond adjacent to the carbon
atom substituted with a radical of formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen. In a
particular embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more of the embodiments
described above or below, R
5 and R
6, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system comprising
1 to 5 aromatic rings, each ring being isolated, fused or partially fused, and comprising
from 5 to 6 members selected from the group consisting of C, CH, and S, and each ring
being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals independently selected
from the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, an aldehyde group, and a radical of formula (II) with the condition that the carbon
atom forming the double bond adjacent to the carbon atom substituted with a radical
of formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen.
[0046] In a particular embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more of the embodiments
described above or below, R
5 and R
6, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system selected
from benzene, naphthalene, phenantrene, biphenyl, thiophene, benzothiophene and 5'-phenyl-1,1':3',1"-terphenyl,
wherein said ring system is further optionally substituted with one or more radicals
independently selected from the group consisting of bromo, fluoro, iodo, methyl, methoxy,
trimethylsilyl, acetyl, an aldehyde group, and a radical selected from the group consisting
of the radicals of formula (IIa), (IIb) and (IIc)

with the condition that the carbon atom of the ring system adjacent to the carbon
atom substituted with a radical of formula (IIa), or alternatively (IIb), or alternatively
(IIc) is substituted with hydrogen.
[0047] In a particular embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more of the embodiments
described above or below, R
5 and R
6, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system radical
selected from the group consisting of

[0048] In a particular embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more of the embodiments
described above or below, R
7 is hydrogen.
[0049] In a particular embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more of the embodiments
described above or below, R
8 is hydrogen.
[0050] In a particular embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more of the embodiments
described above or below, R
9 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl.
[0051] In a particular embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more of the embodiments
described above or below, R
9 is methyl.
[0052] In a particular embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more of the embodiments
described above or below, R
11, R
12, R
13 and R
14 represent the same groups as R
1, R
2, R
3 and R
4 as defined in any of the embodiments described above or below.
[0053] In a particular embodiment, optionally in combination with one or more of the embodiments
described above or below, R
15, R
16, R
17, R
18, R
19, R
20 have the same meanings as R
1, R
2, R
3, R
4, R
5, R
6 respectively as defined in any of the embodiments described above or below, except
when a radical of formula (II) is present in the compound of formula (I) then the
diradical of formula (II') is replaced by a diradical of formula (IV) in a compound
of formula (III) and by a diradical of formula (VIII) in a compound of formula (VII)

[0054] More preferably each of R
1, R
2, R
3 and R
4, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from the group consisting
of: hydrogen, halogen, straight chain or branched (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, an aldehyde group, cyano, nitro; a (C
6-C
20)aryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected from
the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, and (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl; and a (C
5-C
20)heteroaryl optionally subtsituted at one or more positions with a radical selected
from the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, and (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl; or, alternatively,
one, two or three of the pairs R
1 and R
2, R
2 and R
3, and R
3 and R
4, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system, said
ring comprising 1 to 5 rings, each ring being isolated, fused or partially fused,
and comprising from 5 to 6 members selected from the group consisting of C, CH, CH
2, O, and S, each ring being independently unsaturated, saturated or aromatic; and
each ring being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected
from the group consisting of: halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, and nitro; and
R
5 and R
6 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, straight chain or branched (C
1-C
6)alkyl, and a (C
6-C
20)aryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected from
the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, and (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl; or, alternatively,
R
5 and R
6, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system comprising
1 to 5 aromatic rings, each ring being isolated, fused or partially fused, and comprising
from 5 to 6 members selected from the group consisting of C, CH, CO, O, S, N and NR
10, wherein R
10 is selected from hydrogen and (C
1-C
6)alkyl and each ring being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals
independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C
2-C
6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C
2-C
6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, an aldehyde group, nitro, and a radical of formula (II)
with the condition that the carbon atom of the ring system adjacent to the carbon
atom substituted with the radical of formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen.
[0055] More preferably each of R
1, R
2, R
3 and R
4, which may be the same or different, are independently selected from the group consisting
of: hydrogen, halogen, straight chain or branched (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl, a (C
6-C
20)aryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected from
the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, and (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl; or, alternatively, one, two or three of the pairs R
1 and R
2, R
2 and R
3, and R
3 and R
4, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system, said
ring comprising 1 to 3 rings, each ring being isolated, fused or partially fused,
and comprising from 5 to 6 members selected from the group consisting of C, CH, CH
2, each ring being independently unsaturated, saturated or aromatic; and each ring
being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from the group
consisting of: halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy; and
R
5 and R
6 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, straight chain or branched (C
1-C
6)alkyl, and a phenyl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical
selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, and (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl; or, alternatively,
R
5 and R
6, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system comprising
1 to 5 aromatic rings, each ring being isolated or fused, and comprising from 5 to
6 members selected from the group consisting of C, CH, and S and each ring being further
optionally substituted with one or more radicals independently selected from the group
consisting of: halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, an aldehyde group, and a radical of formula (II) with the condition that the carbon
atom of the ring system adjacent to the carbon atom substituted with the radical of
formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen.
[0056] More preferably each of R
1, R
2, R
3 and R
4, which may be the same or different, are independently selected from the group consisting
of: hydrogen, halogen, straight chain or branched (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl, a (C
6-C
20)aryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected from
the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, and (C
1-C
6)thioalkyl; or, alternatively,
one, two or three of the pairs R
1 and R
2, R
2 and R
3, and R
3 and R
4, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system, said
ring comprising 1 to 3 rings, each ring being isolated, fused or partially fused,
and comprising from 5 to 6 members selected from the group consisting of C, CH, CH
2, each ring being independently unsaturated, saturated or aromatic; and each ring
being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from the group
consisting of: halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy; and
R
5 and R
6 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, straight chain or branched (C
1-C
6)alkyl, and a phenyl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical
selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, and (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl; or, alternatively,
R
5 and R
6, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system comprising
1 to 5 aromatic rings, each ring being isolated or fused, and comprising from 5 to
6 members selected from the group consisting of C, CH, and S and each ring being further
optionally substituted with one or more radicals independently selected from the group
consisting of: halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, an aldehyde group, and a radical of formula (II) with the condition that the carbon
atom of the ring system adjacent to the carbon atom substituted with the radical of
formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen.
[0057] Particularly preferably each of R
1, R
2, R
3 and R
4, which may be the same or different, are independently selected from the group consisting
of: hydrogen, straight chain or branched (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl and phenyl; or, alternatively,one, two or three of the pairs R
1 and R
2, R
2 and R
3, and R
3 and R
4, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system, said
ring comprising 1 to 2 aromatic rings, each ring being isolated, or fused, and comprising
6 members selected from the group consisting of C and CH; and
R
5 and R
6 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, straight chain or branched (C
1-C
6)alkyl, and a phenyl or, alternatively,
R
5 and R
6, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system selected
from benzene, naphthalene, phenantrene, biphenyl, thiophene, benzothiophene and 5'-phenyl-1,1':3',1"-terphenyl,
wherein said ring system is further optionally substituted with one or more radicals
independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
2-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, an aldehyde group, and a radical of formula (II) with the condition that the carbon
atom of the ring system adjacent to the carbon atom substituted with the radical of
formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen.
[0058] In a preferred embodiment, each of R
1, R
2, R
3 and R
4, which may be the same or different, are independently selected from the group consisting
of: hydrogen, straight chain or branched (C
1-C
6)alkyl, and (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl; or, alternatively, one, two or three of the pairs R
1 and R
2, R
2 and R
3, and R
3 and R
4, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system, said
ring comprising 1 to 3 aromatic rings, each ring being isolated, or fused, and comprising
6 members selected from the group consisting of C and CH; and
R
5 and R
6, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system comprising
1 to 5 rings, each ring being isolated or fused, and comprising from 5 to 6 members
selected from the group consisting of C, CH, and S, each ring being aromatic, and
each ring being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals independently
selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C
1-C
6)alkyl, (C
1-C
6)haloalkyl, (C
1-C
6)alkyloxy, (C
1-C
6)alkylcarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C
1-C
6)alkyl)
3, an aldehyde group, and a radical of formula (II) with the condition that the carbon
atom of the ring system adjacent to the carbon atom substituted with the radical of
formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen.
[0059] In an even more preferred embodiment, R
1, R
2, R
3 and R
4 represent hydrogen; or, alternatively, one of the pairs selected from R
1 and R
2, and R
2 and R
3, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a phenyl ring; and
R
5 and R
6, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system selected
from benzene, naphthalene, phenantrene, biphenyl, thiophene, benzothiophene and 5'-phenyl-1,1':3',1"-terphenyl,
wherein said ring system is further optionally substituted with one or more radicals
independently selected from the group consisting of bromo, fluoro, iodo, methyl, methoxy,
trimethylsilyl, acetyl, an aldehyde group, and a radical selected from the group consisting
of the radicals of formula (IIa), (IIb) and (IIc)

with the condition that the carbon atom of the ring system adjacent to the carbon
atom substituted with a radical of formula (IIa), or alternatively (IIb), or alternatively
(IIc) is substituted with hydrogen.
[0060] In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect and of all the embodiments defined
above or below R
7 is hydrogen; R
8 is hydrogen and R
9 is methyl.
[0061] In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention the process of the
invention is carried out at a temperature comprised from 0°C to 80°C. In a preferred
embodiment the compound of formula (I) is dissolved in a polar aprotic solvent, more
preferably a halogenated solvent, particularly the solvent is selected from: chloroform,
dichloromethane, tetrachlorometane and tetrachloroetane. More preferably, the solvent
is dichloromethane.
[0062] In a preferred embodiment the Au (I) catalyst used in the method described in the
first aspect of the invention is a Au(I) complex with one or more ligands. Preferably,
it is a Au(I) complex with one or two ligands, the Au(I) complex thus having the general
structure: [L
1-Au(I)]X or [L
1-Au(I)-L
2]X wherein each of L
1 and L
2 is independently a L ligand and X ligands can be covalently bonded to gold or anionic
species.
[0063] In a more preferred embodiment the L ligand is a member selected from the group of:
carbenes, phosphines, sulfonated phosphines, phosphites, phosphinites, phosphonites,
arsines, stibines, ethers, ammonia, amines, amides, nitriles, sulfoxides carbonyls,
pyridines and thioethers.
[0064] In a more preferred embodiment the L ligand is selected from: phosphorous based species,
N-heterocyclic carbene, nitriles and thioethers. In a more preferred embodiment the
L ligand is selected from: phosphines, phosphites and N-heterocyclic carbenes. In
a more preferred embodiment the phosphorous based species is selected from phosphine
and phosphite ligand.
[0065] In a more preferred embodiment the L ligand is selected from: trimethylphosphine,
triethylphosphine, tris(1-methylethyl)phosphine, dimethylphenylphosphine, tris(1,1-dimethylethyl)phosphine,
(1,1'-biphenyl)-2-ylbis(1,1-dimethylethyl)phosphine, bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)[2',4',6'-tris(1-methylethyl)[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl]phosphine,
bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)[3,4,5,6-tetramethyl-2',4',6'-tris(1-methylethyl)[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl]phosphine,
dicyclohexyl(2',6'-dimethoxy[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl)phosphine, [3,6-dimethoxy-2',4',6'-tris(1-methylethyl)[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl]
bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)phosphine, methyldiphenylphosphine, triphenylphosphine, tricyclohexylphosphine,
(2-methylphenyl) diphenylphosphine, tris(4-methylphenyl)phosphine, [[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-ylbis(1,1-dimethylethyl)phosphine,
(1,1-dimethylethyl)phosphine, [[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yldicyclohexylphosphine], [bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)[3,4,5,6-tetramethyl-2',4',6'-tris(1-methylethyl)[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl]phosphine,
[tris[4-trifluoromethyl)phenyl]phosphine, [tris(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)phosphine,
[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-ylbis(tricyclo[3.3.1.1
3,7] dec-a-yl)phosphine, dicyclohexyl[2',4',6'-tris(1-methylethyl[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl]phosphine,
dicyclohexyl(2',6'-dimethoxy[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl) phosphine, [2',6'-bis(1-methylethoxy)[1,
1'-biphenyl]-2-yl]dicyclohexylphosphine, [3,6-dimethoxy-2',4',6'-tris(1-methylethyl)[1,1'bihenyl]-2-yl]bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)phosphine,
bis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl][3,6-dimethoxy-2',4',6'-tris(1-methylethyl)[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl]phosphine,
(2-biphenyl)di-tert-butylphosphine (JohnPhos), trimethylphosphite,triphenyl phosphite,
tris [2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenyl] phosphite, tetrahydrothiophene, benzonitrile,
and acetonitrile.
[0066] In a particular embodiment the Au(I) catalyst is selected from the catalysts of formula
A (Acetonitrile)[(2-biphenyl)di-tert-butylphosphine]gold(I) hexafluoroantimonate;
B (Benzonitrile) [1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene] gold(I) hexafluoroantimonate
and C (Benzonitrile) [tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite]gold(I) hexafluoroantimonate.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment, the Au(I) is a catalyst of formula A (Acetonitrile)[(2-biphenyl)di-tert-butylphosphine]gold(I)
hexafluoroantimonate. In another preferred embodiment, the ratio of Au(I) catalyst
to compound of formula (I) is comprised from 0.1:100 to 5:100. In a preferred embodiment,
the ratio of Au(I) catalyst to compound of formula (I) is comprised from 1:100 to
3:100. In a more preferred embodiment the Au(I) catalyst is a catalyst of formula
A (Acetonitrile)[(2-biphenyl)di-tert-butylphosphine]gold(I) hexafluoroantimonate,
and the ratio of Au(I) catalyst to compound of formula (I) is 2.5:100.
[0068] In a more preferred embodiment the method of the first aspect of the invention further
comprises the previous step of producing the compound of formula (I) by reacting the
compound of formula (V)

with a compound of formula X-CHR
5=CHR
6 in the presence of a catalyst and a ligand; wherein R
1 to R
9 are as defined in any of the embodiments above and below and X is a leaving group.
[0069] In a preferred embodiment the ratio between the compound of formula (VI) and the
compound of formula X-CHR
5=CHR
6 is comprised between 1:1 to 1:4.
[0070] The leaving group mentioned is not particularly limited. Preferred examples thereof
include halogen atoms such as iodine, bromine, and chlorine; oxygen-atom-bonding type
substituents such as sulfonate groups (e.g., methylsulfonate and trifluoromethylsulfonate,
phenylsulfonate and tosylate). More preferred are halogen atoms. Especially preferred
is a iodine atom. In a more preferred embodiment the catalyst mentioned is a palladium
catalyst and the ligand is a phosphorus ligand. Particularly the catalyst used is
(PdCl
2(PPh
3)
2) in the presence of Cul.
[0071] In a particular embodiment the compound of formula (III) obtained in the first aspect
of the invention is selected from: 5, 12 dihydrotetracene; 8,13 dihydrobenzo[a] tetracene;
10,15 -dihydrodibenzo[a,c] tetracene, 7-methyl-5,12-dihydrotetracene, 8-methyl-5,12-dihydrotetracene;
7,9 dimethyl-5,12-dihydrotetracene; 7-methoxy-5,12-dihydrotetracene; 8-methoxy-5,12-dihydrotetracene;
1-(6,11- dihydrotetracen-2-yl)ethan-1-one, 6,11- dihydrotetracen-2-carbaldehyde; 8-fluoro-5,12
dihydrotetracene; 8-bromo-5,12 dihydrotetracene; 8-iodo-5,12 dihydrotetracene; 6,11
dihydrotetracene-2-yl) trimethylsilane; 7-phenyl- 5,12 dihydrotetracene; 8-(4-iodophenyl)
5,12 dihydrotetracene; 5, 10-dihydroanthra[2,3-b] thiophene; 7, 12-dihydroanthra[2,3-b]
benzo[d] thiophene; 7, 16-dihydrodibenzo[a, j]tetracene; 6, 13 dihydropentacene; 6,
6', 11, 11'-tetrahydro-2,2'-bitetracene; 5, 9, 14, 18 tetrahydroheptacene; 1, 3, 5-tris(6,
11-dihydrotetracen-2-yl)benzene; 7,11,18,22-tetrahydrodibenzol[a,p] heptacene and
6, 10, 17, 21-tetrahydrononacene.
[0072] In a preferred embodiment of the invention and of all the embodiments defined above
or below the method comprises a final step of (ii) oxidizing the compound of formula
(III) to form a compound of formula (VII)

wherein R
7, R
8, R
15, R
16, R
17, R
18, R
19 and R
20 are as defined above except the diradical of formula (IV) in the compound of formula
(III), which is replaced by a diradical of formula (VIII) in the compound of formula
(VII)

[0073] Preferably the oxidation step of the second aspect of the invention is carried out
in the presence of an oxidant, preferably selected from Pd/C, o-chloranil or DDQ(2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone).
More preferably the oxidation step is carried out via on-surface (cyclo)dehydrogenation
process.
[0074] The present invention also describes a new structure of 1,7 enynes of formula (I')
as described above and in a particular embodiment the compound of formula (I') is
selected from the group: 1-(3-methoxyallyl)-2-(prop-2-yn-1-yl) benzene; 2-(3-methoxyallyl)-3-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)
naphthalene; 2-(3methoxyallyl)-1-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)naphthalene;1-(3-Methoxyallyl)-2-(3-phenylprop-2-yn-1-yl)benzene;
2-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)naphthalene; 9-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)phenanthrene;
1-(3-Methoxyallyl)-2-(3-(o-tolyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)benzene; 1-(3-Methoxyallyl)-2-(3-(p-tolyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)benzene;
1-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)-3,5-dimethylbenzene; 1-Methoxy-2-(3-(2-(3-methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)benzene;
1-(3-Methoxyallyl)-2-(3-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)benzene; 1-(4-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)phenyl)ethan-1-one
4-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)benzaldehyde; 1-(3-(4-Fluorophenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)-2-(3-methoxyallyl)benzene;
1-(3-(4-Bromophenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)-2-(3-methoxyallyl)benzene; 1-(3-(4-Iodophenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)-2-(3-methoxyallyl)benzene;
(4-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)phenyl)trimethylsilane; 2-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)-1,1'-biphenyl;
4-lodo-4'-(3-(2-(3-methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)-1,1'-biphenyl; 2-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)thiophene;
2-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)benzo[b]thiophene; 2-(3-Methoxyallyl)-1-(3-(naphthalen-2-yl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)naphthalene;
2-(3-Methoxyallyl)-3-(3-phenylprop-2-yn-1-yl)naphthalene; 4,4'-Bis(3-(2-(3-methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)-1,1'-biphenyl;
(2,5-Bis(3-(2-(3-methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)-1,4-phenylene)bis(trimethylsilane)
; 4,4"-Bis(3-(2-(3-methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)-5'-(4-(3-(2-(3-methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)phenyl)-1,1':3',1"-terphenyl;
1,4-Bis(3-(2-(3-methoxyallyl)naphthalen-1-yl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)benzene; 1,4-Bis(3-(3-(3-methoxyallyl)naphthalen-2-yl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)benzene.
[0075] The invention also relates to a method for the preparation of the compound of formula
(I) comprising:
- a) reacting the compound (VI)

with a compound of formula H3COCR7=C=CH2; wherein X is a halogen and wherein R1 to R9 are as defined above to obtain the compound of formula (V);
- b) reacting the compound of formula (V)

with a compound of formula X-CHR5=CHR6 in the presence of a catalyst and a ligand; wherein R1 to R9, the catalyst and the ligand are as defined above and X is a leaving group.
[0076] Throughout the description and claims the word "comprise" and variations of the word,
are not intended to exclude other technical features, additives components, or steps.
Additional objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent
to those skilled in the art upon examination of the description or may be learned
by practice of the invention. The following examples and drawings are provided by
way of illustration, and they are not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
Furthermore, the present invention covers all possible combinations of particular
and preferred embodiments described herein.
EXAMPLES
Polyacene precursors and preparation method thereof
[0077]
- 1.Synthesis of enyne precursors
- 2.Synthesis of 1,7-enynes
- 3.Gold-catalyzed synthesis of polyhydroacenes
1. Synthesis of enyne precursors
[0078]

1-(3-Methoxyallyl)-2-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)benzene (4a).
[0079] A flask containing Mg turnings (214 mg, 3.52 mmol) was flame dried under an Ar stream,
cooled, and charged with 3 mL of anhydrous THF followed by 50 µL of 1,2-dibromoethane.
After 2 minutes stirring at room temperature, a solution of freshly 3a (1.00 g, 4.40
mmol) in anhydrous THF (2 mL) was added dropwise. The compound 3a was prepared following
the procedure described in
Jiménez-Núñez, E.; Raducan, M.; Lauterbach, T.; Molawi, K.; Solorio, C. R.; Echavarren,
A. M. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2009, 48, 6152-6155. After heating at 80 °C for 1 hour, the reaction was cooled down to room temperature
and added over a mixture of Cul (16.8 mg, 0.08 mmol) and methoxyallene (0.74 mL, 8.80
mmol) in anhydrous THF (2 mL). The resulting mixture was heated at 60 °C for 4 hours
and then cooled down to room temperature, diluted with EtOAc (10 mL) and quenched
by the addition of saturated solution of NaHCO
3 (20 mL). The organic layer was separated and the aqueous phase was extracted with
EtOAc (20 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over MgSO
4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by column chromatography
(pentane/CH
2Cl
2/NEt
3 90:10:1) gave the title compound as a colorless oil (
Z:
E = 3:1, 393.0-557.2 mg, 2.12-3.01 mmol, yield = 48-68%).

2-(3-Methoxyallyl)-3-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)naphthalene (4b).
[0080] Procedure for 4a starting from 3b (240 mg, 0.87 mmol). Colorless oil (80.2 mg, 0.34
mmol, 1:2 E/Z ratio, yield = 39%).

2-(3-Methoxyallyl)-1-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)naphthalene (4c).
[0081] Procedure for 4a starting from 3c (500 mg, 1.80 mmol). Colorless oil (178.5 mg, 0.75
mmol, 1:2 E/Z ratio, yield = 42%).
2. Synthesis of 1,7-enynes
[0082]

[0083] General procedure: PdCl
2(PPh
3)
2 (7.0 mg, 0.01 mmol) and Cul (3.8 mg, 0.02 mmol) were suspended in NEt
3 (1 mL) and the mixture was bubbled with Ar for 10 minutes. Aryl iodide (0.24 mmol)
and a solution of 4 (37.3 mg, 0.2 mmol) in degassed NEt3 (1 mL) were subsequently
added and the reaction was stirred at room temeperature for 1.5 hour unless otherwise
stated. Then the mixture was diluted with EtOAc (1 mL), filtered through a short pad
of silica gel compacted with EtOAc/NEt
3 99:1 and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by column chromatography
using deactivated SiO
2 afforded the 1,7-enynes
9 as mixtures of Z:E isomers.
| (4) |
Ar'I |
(9) |
Yield(%) |
| 4a |
iodobenzene |
1-(3-Methoxyallyl)-2-(3-phenylprop-2-yn-1-yl)benzene (9a). |
95 |
| 4a |
2-iodonaphthalene |
2-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)naphthalene (9b). |
64 |
| 4a |
9-iodophenanthrene |
9-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)phenanthrene (9c). |
54 |
| 4a |
2-iodotoluene |
1-(3-Methoxyallyl)-2-(3-(o-tolyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)benzene (9d). |
72 |
| 4a |
4-iodotoluene |
1-(3-Methoxyallyl)-2-(3-(p-tolyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)benzene (9e). |
67 |
| 4a |
1-iodo-3,5-dimethylbenzene |
1-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)-3,5-dimethylbenzene (9f). |
59 |
| 4a |
2-iodoanisole |
1-Methoxy-2-(3-(2-(3-methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)benzene (9g). |
86 |
| 4a |
4-iodoanisole |
1-(3-Methoxyal lyl)-2-(3-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)benzene (9h). |
86 |
| 4a |
4-iodoacetophenone |
1-(4-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)phenyl)ethan-1-one (9i). |
88 |
| 4a |
4-iodobenzaldehyde |
4-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)benzaldehyde (9j). |
73 |
| 4a |
1-fluor-4-iodobenzene |
1-(3-(4-Fluorophenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)-2-(3-methoxyallyl)benzene (9k). |
99 |
| 4a |
1-bromo-4-iodobenzene |
1-(3-(4-Bromophenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)-2-(3-methoxyallyl)benzene (91). |
88 |
| 4a |
1,4-diiodobenzene |
1-(3-(4-Iodophenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)-2-(3-methoxyallyl)benzene (9m). |
55 |
| 4a |
4-iodophenyl)trimethylsilane |
(4-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)phenyl)trimethylsilane (9n). |
82 |
| 4a |
2-iodobiphenyl |
2-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)-1,1'-biphenyl (9o). |
60 |
| 4a |
4,4'-diiodobiphenyl |
4-lodo-4'-(3-(2-(3-methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)-1,1'-biphenyl (9p). |
46 |
| 4a |
2-iodothiophene |
2-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)thiophene (9q). |
95 |
| 4a |
2-iodobenzothiophene |
2-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)benzo[b]thiophene (9r). |
63 |
| 4c |
2-iodonaphthalene |
2-(3-Methoxyal lyl)-1-(3-(naphthalen-2-yl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)naphthalene (9s). |
80 |
| 4b |
iodobenzene |
2-(3-Methoxyallyl)-3-(3-phenylprop-2-yn-1-yl)naphthalene (9t). |
88 |
| 4a |
4,4'-diiodobiphenyl 2.5 equivalents of 4a |
4,4'-Bis(3-(2-(3-methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)-1,1'-biphenyl (9u). |
93 |
| 4a |
1,4-diiodobenzene using 2.5 equivalents of 4a |
(2,5-Bis(3-(2-(3-methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)-1,4-phenylene)bis(trimethylsilane)
(9v). |
88 |
| 4a |
1,3,5-tris(4-iodophenyl)benzene using 4 equivalents of 4a |
4,4"-Bis(3-(2-(3-methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)-5'-(4-(3-(2-(3-methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)phenyl)-1,1':3',1"-terphenyl
(9w). |
42 |
| 4c |
1,4-diiodobenzene using 2.5 equivalents of 4c |
1,4-Bis(3-(2-(3-methoxyallyl)naphthalen-1-yl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)benzene (9x). |
41 |
| 4b |
1,4-diiodobenzene using 2.5 equivalents of 4b |
1,4-Bis(3-(3-(3-methoxyallyl)naphthalen-2-yl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)benzene (9y). |
84 |
3. Gold-catalyzed synthesis of hydroacenes
[0084]

[0085] General procedure: To a vial containing a solution of
9 (0.1 mmol) in CH
2Cl
2 (1 mL) was added cationic gold catalyst [JohnPhosAu(MeCN)]SbF
6 (1.9 mg, 2.5 mol%). The vial was sealed and the reaction was heated to 40 °C for
1 h. After cooling to room temperature a drop of NEt
3 was added then the solvents were evaporated under reduced pressure. Unless otherwise
stated, purification by silica gel preparative TLC afforded dihydroacenes
10.
| 9 |
10 |
yield |
| 9a |
5,12-Dihydrotetracene (10a). |
95 |
| 9b |
8,13-Dihydrobenzo[a]tetracene (10b). |
99 |
| 9c |
10,15-Dihydrodibenzo[a,c]tetracene (10c). |
99 |
| 9d |
7-Methyl-5,12-dihydrotetracene (10d). |
68 |
| 9e |
8-Methyl-5,12-dihydrotetracene (10e). |
54 |
| 9f |
7,9-Dimethyl-5,12-dihydrotetracene (10f). |
85 |
| 9g |
7-Methoxy-5,12-dihydrotetracene (10g). |
77 |
| 9h |
8-Methoxy-5,12-dihydrotetracene (10h). |
60 |
| 9i |
1-(6,11-Dihydrotetracen-2-yl)ethan-1-one (10i). |
59 |
| 9j |
6,11-Dihydrotetracene-2-carbaldehyde (10j). |
71 |
| 9k |
8-Fluoro-5,12-dihydrotetracene (10k). |
76 |
| 9i |
8-Bromo-5,12-dihydrotetracene (10l). |
67 |
| 9m |
8-Iodo-5,12-dihydrotetracene (10m). |
99 |
| 9n |
(6,11-Dihydrotetracen-2-yl)trimethylsilane (10n). |
55 |
| 9o |
7-Phenyl-5,12-dihydrotetracene (10o). |
46 |
| 9p |
8-(4-Iodophenyl)-5,12-dihydrotetracene (10p). |
71 |
| 9q |
5,10-Dihydroanthra[2,3-b]thiophene (10q). |
93 |
| 9r |
7,12-Dihydroanthra[2,3-b]benzo[d]thiophene (10r). |
88 |
| 9s |
7,16-Dihydrodibenzo[a,j]tetracene (10s). |
61 |
| 9t |
6,13-Dihydropentacene (10t). |
63 |
| 9u |
6,6',11,11'-Tetrahydro-2,2'-bitetracene (10u). |
77 |
| 9v |
5,9,14,18-Tetrahydroheptacene (10v). |
56 |
| 9w |
1,3,5-Tris(6,1 1-dihydrotetracen-2-yl)benzene (10w). |
68 |
| 9x |
7,11,18,22-Tetrahydrodibenzo[a,p]heptacene (10x). |
38 |
| 9y |
6,10,17,21-Tetrahydrononacene (10y). |
31 |
1. A method for the preparation of a partially hydrogenated polyacene comprising the
step of:
(i) contacting a compound of formula (I)

with a catalytically effective amount of a Au(I) catalyst,
wherein each of R1, R2, R3 and R4, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from the group consisting
of: hydrogen, halogen, straight chain or branched (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, (C1-C6)thioalkyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C2-C6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C1-C6)alkyl)3, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C2-C6)alkylaminocarbonyl, an aldehyde group, cyano, nitro, a radical of formula (II):

with the condition that when one or more of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is a radical of formula (II) at least one carbon atom adjacent to the carbon atom
bearing a radical of formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen; a (C6-C20)aryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected from
the group consisting of: halogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, (C1-C6)thioalkyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C2-C6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C1-C6)alkyl)3, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C2-C6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, nitro, an aldehyde group and a radical of formula (II)
with the condition that at least one carbon atom adjacent to the carbon atom of the
(C6-C20)aryl substituted with the radical of formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen; and
a (C5-C20)heteroaryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected
from the group consisting of halogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, (C1-C6)thioalkyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C2-C6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C1-C6)alkyl)3, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C2-C6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, nitro, an aldehyde group and a radical of formula (II)
with the condition that at least one carbon atom adjacent to the carbon atom of the
(C5-C20)heteroaryl substituted with the radical of formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen;
or, alternatively,
one, two or three of the pairs R1 and R2, R2 and R3, and R3 and R4, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system comprising
1 to 5 rings, each ring being isolated, fused or partially fused, and comprising from
5 to 6 members selected from the group consisting of: C, CH, CH2, CO, O, S, N and NR10, wherein R10 is selected from hydrogen and (C1-C6)alkyl, each ring being independently unsaturated, saturated or aromatic; and each
ring being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from
the group consisting of: halogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, (C1-C6)thioalkyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C2-C6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C1-C6)alkyl)3, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C2-C6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, an aldehyde group and nitro and wherein when the ring
system comprises at least one carbon-carbon double bond, the carbon atoms forming
a double bond can further be substituted with a radical of formula (II) with the condition
that the carbon atom forming the double bond adjacent to the carbon atom substituted
with a radical of formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen
R7 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C1-C6)alkyl and (C1-C6)haloalkyl; R8 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, and (C1-C6)haloalkyl; R9 is a linear or branched (C1-C6)alkyl; and
R11, R12, R13, R14 have the same meanings as R1, R2, R3, R4;
R5 and R6 are each independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, straight
chain or branched (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, a (C6-C20)aryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected from
the group consisting of halogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, (C1-C6)thioalkyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C2-C6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C1-C6)alkyl)3, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C2-C6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, nitro, an aldehyde group, and a radical of formula (II)
with the condition that at least one carbon atom adjacent to the carbon atom of the
(C6-C20)aryl substituted with the radical of formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen; and
a (C5-C20)heteroaryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected
from the group consisting of: halogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, (C1-C6)thioalkyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C2-C6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C1-C6)alkyl)3, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C2-C6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, nitro, an aldehyde group, and a radical of formula (II)
with the condition that at least one carbon atom adjacent to the carbon atom of the
(C5-C20)heteroaryl substituted with the radical of formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen;
or, alternatively,
R5 and R6, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system comprising
1 to 10 rings, each ring being isolated, fused or partially fused, and comprising
from 5 to 6 members selected from the group consisting of C, CH, CH2, CO, O, S, N and NR10, wherein R10 is selected from hydrogen and (C1-C6)alkyl, each ring being independently unsaturated, saturated or aromatic, and each
ring being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals independently
selected from the group consisting of: halogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, (C1-C6)thioalkyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C2-C6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C1-C6)alkyl)3, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C2-C6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, an aldehyde group, nitro,
and wherein when the ring system comprises at least one carbon-carbon double bond,
the carbon atoms forming a double bond can further be substituted with a radical of
formula (II) with the condition that the carbon atom forming the double bond adjacent
to the carbon atom substituted with a radical of formula (II) is substituted with
hydrogen;
to obtain a partially hydrogenated polyacene of formula (III):


wherein the R15, R16, R17, R18, R19, R20 have the same meanings as R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 respectively except when a radical of formula (II) is present in the compound of
formula (I) then the diradical of formula (II') is cyclized in a diradical of formula
(IV) in the compound of formula (III)

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein each of R11, R12, R13 and R14, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from the group consisting
of: hydrogen, halogen, straight chain or branched (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, (C1-C6)thioalkyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C2-C6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C1-C6)alkyl)3, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C2-C6)alkylaminocarbonyl, an aldehyde group, cyano, nitro, a (C6-C20)aryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected from
the group consisting of halogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, (C1-C6)thioalkyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C2-C6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C1-C6)alkyl)3, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C2-C6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, nitro, and an aldehyde group and a (C5-C20)heteroaryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected
from the group consisting of halogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, (C1-C6)thioalkyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C2-C6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C1-C6)alkyl)3, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C2-C6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, nitro, and an aldehyde group; or, alternatively,
one, two or three of the pairs R11 and R12, R12 and R13, and R13 and R14, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system comprising
1 to 5 rings, each ring being isolated, fused or partially fused, and comprising from
5 to 6 members selected from the group consisting of: C, CH, CH2, CO, O, S, N and NR10, wherein R10 is selected from hydrogen and (C1-C6)alkyl, each ring being independently unsaturated, saturated or aromatic; and each
ring being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from
the group consisting of: halogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, (C1-C6)thioalkyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C2-C6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C1-C6)alkyl)3, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C2-C6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, and aldehyde group, and nitro.
3. The method according to any of claims 1 to 2 wherein, in the compound of formula (I):
each of R1, R2, R3 and R4, which may be the same or different, are independently selected from the group consisting
of: hydrogen, halogen, straight chain or branched (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, (C1-C6)thioalkyl, (C1-C6)alkylcarbonyl, an aldehyde group, cyano, nitro; a (C6-C20)aryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected from
the group consisting of halogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, and (C1-C6)thioalkyl; and a (C5-C20)heteroaryl optionally subtsituted at one or more positions with a radical selected
from the group consisting of halogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, and (C1-C6)thioalkyl; or, alternatively,
one, two or three of the pairs R1 and R2, R2 and R3, and R3 and R4, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system, said
ring comprising 1 to 5 rings, each ring being isolated, fused or partially fused,
and comprising from 5 to 6 members selected from the group consisting of C, CH, CH2, O, and S, each ring being independently unsaturated, saturated or aromatic; and
each ring being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected
from the group consisting of: halogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, and nitro; and
R5 and R6 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, straight chain or branched (C1-C6)alkyl, and a (C6-C20)aryl optionally substituted at one or more positions with a radical selected from
the group consisting of halogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, and (C1-C6)haloalkyl; or, alternatively,
R5 and R6, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system comprising
1 to 5 aromatic rings, each ring being isolated, fused or partially fused, and comprising
from 5 to 6 members selected from the group consisting of C, CH, CO, O, S, N and NR10, wherein R10 is selected from hydrogen and (C1-C6)alkyl and each ring being further optionally substituted with one or more radicals
independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, (C1-C6)thioalkyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyl, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonyloxy, (C2-C6)alkyloxycarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C1-C6)alkyl)3, (C2-C6)alkylcarbonylamino, (C2-C6)alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, an aldehyde group, nitro, and a radical of formula (II)
with the condition that the carbon atom of the ring system adjacent to the carbon
atom substituted with a radical of formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen.
4. The method according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein:
each of R1, R2, R3 and R4, which may be the same or different, are independently selected from the group consisting
of: hydrogen, straight chain or branched (C1-C6)alkyl, and (C1-C6)haloalkyl; or, alternatively,
one, two or three of the pairs R1 and R2, R2 and R3, and R3 and R4, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system, said
ring comprising 1 to 3 aromatic rings, each ring being isolated, or fused, and comprising
6 members selected from the group consisting of C and CH; and
R5 and R6, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system comprising
1 to 5 rings, each ring being isolated or fused, and comprising from 5 to 6 members
selected from the group consisting of C, CH, and S, each ring being aromatic, and
each ring being further optionally substituted with one or
more radicals independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)haloalkyl, (C1-C6)alkyloxy, (C1-C6)alkylcarbonyl, a radical of formula Si((C1-C6)alkyl)3, an aldehyde group, and a radical of formula (II) with the condition that the carbon
atom of the ring system adjacent to the carbon atom substituted with a radical of
formula (II) is substituted with hydrogen.
5. The method according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein each of R
1, R
2, R
3 and R
4 represent hydrogen; or, alternatively, one of the pairs selected from R
1 and R
2, and R
2 and R
3, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a phenyl ring; and
R
5 and R
6, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a ring system selected
from benzene, naphthalene, phenantrene, biphenyl, thiophene, benzothiophene and 5'-phenyl-1,1':3',1"-terphenyl,
wherein said ring system is further optionally substituted with one or more radicals
independently selected from the group consisting of bromo, fluoro, iodo, methyl, methoxy,
trimethylsilyl, acetyl, an aldehyde group, and a radical selected from the group consisting
of the radicals of formula (IIa), (IIb) and (IIc)

with the condition that the carbon atom of the ring system adjacent to the carbon
atom substituted with a radical of formula (IIa), or alternatively (IIb), or alternatively
(IIc) is substituted with hydrogen.
6. The method according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein:
R7 is hydrogen;
R8 is hydrogen and
R9 is methyl.
7. The method according to any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the Au(I) catalyst is a Au(I)
complex with one or more ligands wherein the ligand is selected from the group consisting
of phosphines, phosphites and N-heterocyclic carbenes.
8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the Au(I) catalyst is selected from the catalysts
of formula (A), (B) and (C)
9. The method according to any of claims 1 to 8 further comprising the previous step
of producing the compound of formula (I) by reacting the compound of formula (V)

with a compound of formula X-CHR
5=CHR
6 in the presence of a catalyst and a ligand; wherein R
1 to R
9 are as defined in any of claims 1 to 6 and X is a leaving group.
10. The method according to claim 9 further comprising the previous step of producing
the compound of formula (V) by reacting the compound of formula (VI)

with a compound of formula H
3OCR
7=C=CH
2 wherein Y is halogen and wherein R
1 to R
9 are as defined in any of the claims 1 to 6.
11. The method according to any of claims 1 to 10 wherein the compound of formula (III)
is selected from the group consisting of 5, 12 dihydrotetracene; 8,13 dihydrobenzo[a]
tetracene; 10,15 -dihydrodibenzo[a,c] tetracene, 7-methyl-5,12-dihydrotetracene, 8-methyl-5,12-dihydrotetracene;
7,9 dimethyl-5,12-dihydrotetracene; 7-methoxy-5,12-dihydrotetracene; 8-methoxy-5,12-dihydrotetracene;
1-(6,11- dihydrotetracen-2-yl)ethan-1-one, 6,11- dihydrotetracen-2-carbaldehyde; 8-fluoro-5,12
dihydrotetracene; 8-bromo-5,12 dihydrotetracene; 8-iodo-5,12 dihydrotetracene; 6,11
dihydrotetracene-2-yl) trimethylsilane; 7-phenyl-5,12 dihydrotetracene; 8-(4-iodophenyl)
5,12 dihydrotetracene; 5, 10-dihydroanthra[2,3-b] thiophene; 7, 12-dihydroanthra[2,3-b]
benzo[d] thiophene; 7, 16-dihydrodibenzo[a, j]tetracene; 6, 13 dihydropentacene; 6,
6', 11, 11'-tetrahydro-2,2'-bitetracene; 5, 9, 14, 18 tetrahydroheptacene; 1, 3, 5-tris(6,
11-dihydrotetracen-2-yl)benzene; 7,11,18,22-tetrahydrodibenzol[a,p] heptacene and
6, 10, 17, 21-tetrahydrononacene.
12. A method for the preparation of a polyacene compound comprising the steps of any of
claims 1 to 11 and further comprising a final step of oxidizing the compound of formula
(III) to form a compound of formula (VII)

wherein R
7, R
8, R
15, R
16, R
17, R
18, R
19 and R
20 are as defined in any of claims 1 to 6 except the diradical of formula (IV) in the
compound of formula (III), which is replaced by a diradical of formula (VIII) in the
compound of formula (VII)
13. A compound of formula (I')

wherein A' is selected from hydrogen and a radical of formula -CHR
5=CHR
6 wherein R
1 to R
9 are as defined in any of the claims 1 to 6.
14. The compound of formula (I') according to claim 13 that is selected from the group
consisting of 1-(3-methoxyallyl)-2-(prop-2-yn-1-yl) benzene; 2-(3-methoxyallyl)-3-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)
naphthalene; 2-(3methoxyallyl)-1-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)naphthalene;1-(3-Methoxyallyl)-2-(3-phenylprop-2-yn-1-yl)benzene;
2-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)naphthalene; 9-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)phenanthrene;
1-(3-Methoxyallyl)-2-(3-(o-tolyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)benzene; 1-(3-Methoxyallyl)-2-(3-(p-tolyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)benzene;
1-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)-3,5-dimethylbenzene; 1-Methoxy-2-(3-(2-(3-methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)benzene;
1-(3-Methoxyallyl)-2-(3-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)benzene; 1-(4-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)phenyl)ethan-1-one
4-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)benzaldehyde; 1-(3-(4-Fluorophenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)-2-(3-methoxyallyl)benzene;
1-(3-(4-Bromophenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)-2-(3-methoxyallyl)benzene; 1-(3-(4-Iodophenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)-2-(3-methoxyallyl)benzene;
(4-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)phenyl)trimethylsilane; 2-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)-1,1'-biphenyl;
4-Iodo-4'-(3-(2-(3-methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)-1,1'-biphenyl; 2-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)thiophene;
2-(3-(2-(3-Methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)benzo[b]thiophene; 2-(3-Methoxyallyl)-1-(3-(naphthalen-2-yl)prop-2-yn-1-yl)naphthalene;
2-(3-Methoxyallyl)-3-(3-phenylprop-2-yn-1-yl)naphthalene; 4,4'-Bis(3-(2-(3-methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)-1,1'-biphenyl;
(2,5-Bis(3-(2-(3-methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)-1,4-phenylene)bis(trimethylsilane)
; 4,4"-Bis(3-(2-(3-methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)-5'-(4-(3-(2-(3-methoxyallyl)phenyl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)phenyl)-1,1':3',1"-terphenyl;
1,4-Bis(3-(2-(3-methoxyallyl)naphthalen-1-yl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)benzene; and 1,4-Bis(3-(3-(3-methoxyallyl)naphthalen-2-yl)prop-1-yn-1-yl)benzene.
15. Use of the compound as defined in claims 13 and 14 as precursors of partially hydrogenated
polyacene compounds of formula (III) defined in any of the claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
and 11.